As we spun on the dance floor, I considered the midnight deadline that loomed. Did I want to date him? The answer was a definitive yes. Was I brave enough to risk my heart again? That was what I wasn’t sure about. It was only one date not a marriage proposal. Perhaps I could see what one date was like. In the harsh reality of our real lives, it was possible this bubble of attraction would burst.
But maybe not.
Despite being out of practice, my heart leapt with hopeful promise at seeing Jordy again—at exploring where this feeling between us might lead.
The song ended and the DJ announced that the bride and groom would be cutting the cake. Jordy and I moved aside to watch the proceedings. He held my hand to lead me off the dance floor and he didn’t let go when we reached our place next to his parents. His mother leaned over him to offer me a smile and hello and I returned her greeting. His father gave him a thumbs up when he thought I wasn’t looking.
This was the most unusual wedding I’d been to. I’d expected to make an appearance, offer my congratulations and then gracefully fade into the background.
Instead, I’d ended up on a date of sorts with the bride’s brother of all people. Whose parents I was meeting a mere twenty-four hours of knowing him.
I craned my neck to find my parents in the crowd. Had they observed the romantic dance and our current position holding hands next to his parents? I was sure my mother had noticed and was already planning the wedding.
As my ex-boyfriend and Jordy’s sister delicately fed each other cake, I considered what it would be like to be here as his girlfriend instead of a woman he met yesterday and spent last night with.
Instead of the horror I expected, a feeling of peace washed over me. My entire adult life, I’d been a party of one or a group date kind of woman. Tonight, I was part of something bigger than me—I was part of a couple. Even if just for a few hours.
At eighteen, the biggest challenge Austin and I had encountered was where to hang out on Friday night. Our breakup, while painful, was fraught with as much ego as emotion.
Now that I was an adult, life threw much more complicated problems my way. I’d tackled each of them with support from friends and family. What would it be like to have a partner by my side? Someone who made me laugh, supported me through the tough times, and also held my hand at weddings?
For the first time, I wanted to find out.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Jordy introduced me to his parents, who were lovely and I in turn introduced him to mine. Between conversations, we danced, we ate cake, and drank champagne.
Before we knew it, midnight was approaching. This was the moment when I either took a chance on love or was destined to be alone forever. Because if I couldn’t bring myself to say yes to one date, how could I ever take a chance on love?
Looking at Jordy, his eyes shining bright, I knew I was already falling. Somehow, in the past day, I’d let his light through the cracks of my hardened heart and there was no going back. Only forward to the possibility of love with this amazing man.
On the packed dance floor, with a romantic song playing, he reached for me once again and I went eagerly. Looking into his kind eyes, I knew my heart would be safe with him. Even though I was scared, I knew the answer to his question.
Before he had a chance to ask, just as the clock struck midnight, I pulled him close to whisper in his ear “The answer will always be yes.”
His expression of surprise told me that he wasn’t expecting my response. He wasted no time in pulling me closer into a bear hug. He cupped my face with his hands and leaned in for a kiss.
“This okay?” He whispered, aware we were in the middle of a crowd that included our families.
“Yes, always yes.”
Jordy’s mouth settled on mine in a sweet kiss that made many promises. Affection, fun, steamy moments. His mouth communicated what words couldn’t and my returning kiss assured him that I was in this for all he promised and more.
As the music faded and the lights came up, the wedding might be over but Jordy and my story was just beginning. And it all started with this kiss and taking the risk on love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emma Lynn Everly writes steamy contemporary romance. In her free time, she loves to travel, eat good food, drink craft beer, and spend time with family and friends. Emma Lynn’s stories are sexy, fun, and full of heart. She writes steamy romance for every season of life and guarantees a Happily Ever After at the end of all her stories. Learn more about Emma Lynn by joining her reader’s group at https://bit.ly/emmalynnreaders or her website https://emmalynneverly.com
FINDING KELLEN
BY GABBI GREY
Kellen
I crashed my dad’s Lambo, and now the paparazzi are chasing me around Vancouver. It truly sucks to be a rich man’s only son. So I head to the family fishing cabin in the hopes of escaping the chaos, not to mention the weight of my dad’s ire and disappointment. Only when I get to the snowy hideaway in Northern British Columbia, I get a hell of a shock.
Marco
I’ve been in some fascinating places and in some interesting positions in pursuit of my environmental sciences PhD. None quite as unexpected as finding myself sharing a remote cabin with the irresistible Kellen Parsons. It turns out he’s into guys. So am I—although I’ve never acted on it beyond a bit of fumbling around. Now heat flares every time we look at each other, and keeping our hands to ourselves is tough. As the winter solstice nears, and the snow continues, who knows how far things will go?
